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Honda Builds the Most Top Safety-Rated Models in America


honda

TORRANCE, CA--Feb. 3, 2014: Honda has more top safety-rated vehicles made in America than any other automaker.[1] Four 2014 Honda models – the Honda Accord Sedan, Honda Accord Coupe, Honda Civic Sedan and Honda Odyssey – have earned the highest possible rating of TOP SAFETY PICK+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The 2014 Civic Coupe was named a TOP SAFETY PICK. Honda associates at plants in Ohio, Alabama and Indiana produce these top-rated Honda vehicles using domestic and globally sourced parts.

Looking at all Honda and Acura models including those built in other markets, American Honda has a total of six models, the most of any automaker, that have received a TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating from the IIHS under its more challenging requirements implemented for the 2014 model year. Two American Honda models also earned TOP SAFETY PICK ratings. [See chart at the end of this release for a list of all models.]

This leading safety performance is reflective of Honda's unique commitment to "safety for everyone" — based on studying real-world situations to develop vehicles with state-of-the-art collision protection and advanced safety and driver assistive technologies. Ultimately, the company is focused on achieving a collision free society, not only for drivers and passengers of Honda vehicles, but everyone on the road.

"Honda and its passionate engineers are delivering crash safety test performance at industry-leading levels as a result of our strong and continuous focus on innovation in safety technology and vehicle design," said Art St. Cyr, vice president of product planning and logistics at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "When you add safety leadership to our world-class durability, inventive packaging and top-class fuel efficiency, you've got the makings for a really smart choice for American car buyers[2]."

In addition to its leadership in safety, American Honda holds the top spot in overall fuel efficiency among full-line automakers, according to the U.S. EPA's most recent fuel economy trends report. Moreover, the Honda brand also has more vehicles on the road after 25 years of service than any other mainstream automotive brand, according to Polk vehicle registration statistics from 1988-2012.

Honda and Acura vehicles are available with leading-edge safety and driver assistive technologies, including Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure and Forward Collision Warning (FCW) system. Honda's ACE body structure, now in its second generation, improves frontal crash energy management through a wider range of offset and oblique collision modes. In addition, other body reinforcements work in tandem with the strengthened body structure to better maintain the occupant compartment volume during frontal collisions by providing additional crash energy pathways to help mitigate the forces transmitted to the passenger compartment. Forward Collision Warning (FCW) uses audible and visual warnings to alert the driver when the system determines that a collision with a detected vehicle or object is likely[3].

Other available safety and driver-assistive technologies include: anti-lock brakes, Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSAŽ), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), and LaneWatch™ display; side curtain airbags; dual-stage, multiple-threshold front airbags; and front-side airbags. American Honda also is a leader in equipping vehicles with rearview cameras, applied as standard equipment on 17 of 19 models in the company's 2014 new-vehicle lineup, a technology that also will be featured on the all-new 2015 Fit, launching in spring 2014.